SEN

School Offer

All East Sussex maintained schools have a similar approach to meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs or disability (SEND) and are supported by the Local Authority to ensure that all pupils, regardless of their specific needs, make the best possible progress in school. Schools aim to be as inclusive as possible, with the needs of all pupils being met in a mainstream school or college wherever possible.At East Hoathly we work closely with our local schools to promote inclusion and inclusive practice, so that all of our children, regardless of their individual needs, have access to quality education.

We have worked in partnership with parents, carers and governors to provide this information and guidance about how we meet the needs of all pupils. This is called our School Offer.These are some of the key questions that parents have identified for us:

We have worked in partnership with parents, carers and governors to provide this information and guidance about how we meet the needs of all pupils. This is called our School Offer.These are some of the key questions that parents have identified for us:

How do you identify children with special educational needs (SEND)? How will I be able to raise any concerns that I might have?

We know children need help when:

Concerns are raised by parents or carers, teachers or the child.

Children are not making the progress they should.

There is a change in a child's behaviour or rate of progress.

What should I do if I think my child may have special educational needs?

Please make a note of any areas of concern and then speak to your child's class teacher. They are your first point of contact.

Contact the School's Special Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo), Sophie Levey, if you still have concerns.

What should I do if my child already has an identified special need before starting at the school?

If your child already has an identified special need, please let us know as soon as possible. This will mean that we can respond quickly to their needs when they join us. Please tell us about any other service (for example; speech or occupational therapist) already supporting your child.

Also let your child's current provider (nursery, pre-school or school) know that your child will be starting at our school. This will help establish a good transition for your child.

What will you do if you think my child has a special educational need?

If we have any concerns about your child we will always discuss this with you first.

We will monitor their progress closely and talk with you about how we can work together to support your child.

How will the school support my child?

All teachers provide high quality lessons to meet the needs of all the children in their class.

Additional support for individual children or groups may be planned and reviewed by the class teacher or teaching assistant.

Where necessary the class teacher will talk to the SENCo and a more personalised programme of support may be introduced. This may include support from an outside service.

The school management team closely monitors teaching and learning of all children.

We will make sure you know about any extra support that your child is receiving at school.

We know that parents and carers can provide invaluable support for their childrens learning and we will work in partnership with you to make sure your child makes the best possible progress.

We will track your child's progress carefully and adapt and adjust support as needed.

How is the curriculum matched to my child's needs?

Teachers take account of the needs of all children and plan tasks and resources appropriately. Some pupils may need higher levels of differentiation (providing different learning tasks depending on individual needs) and support in order to access the curriculum.

Lessons are planned so that all children can learn and make progress.

Opportunities will be provided for children with additional needs to work in different ways (for example in mixed ability groups, similar ability groups for peer support, adult supported small groups, 1:1 support with an adult, and independently).

The school will make all reasonable adjustments to ensure that every pupil can take advantage of the full range of opportunities within the curriculum.

How will I know how my child is doing?

Teachers constantly review the progress made by all children.

There are lots of opportunities to talk to staff (including your child's class teacher) about progress or any concerns that you may have.

Class teachers are usually available at the end of the day but sometimes we may ask you to make an appointment.

We know that in some cases more regular communication may be needed between parents and school.

We hold regular parent/teacher consultations and encourage all parents to attend.

Annual reports are sent home towards the end of each school year.

If your child needs a higher level of support to make progress we may invite you to come to school to develop a School Based Plan together. These are reviewed regularly.

What support will there be for my child's overall wellbeing?

Our school has a strong Christian ethos; emphasising the important values of respect for all, resilience and equality.

We are an inclusive school and we welcome and celebrate diversity.

We recognise that self-esteem is key to a child's emotional well-being and academic progress.

The class teacher has overall responsibility for the well-being of every child in their class. If you have any worries, please speak to the class teacher first. If further support is needed the class teacher will speak to the SENCo.

We support children's emotional, social and behavioural needs through our PSHE (personal, social, health, education) and SEAL (social, emotional aspects of learning) curriculum. We also run nurture and social groups and have a consistent and clear behaviour system throughout the school promoting high standards of behaviour and conduct.

Prescribed medicine can be administered in school with signed parental permission with the agreement of the school. There are nominated first aiders in school and several members of staff have first aid qualifications. If your child has significant medical needs please speak to the SENCo to discuss how we can best support you and your child. Support might include drawing up a Health Care Plan, and seeking advice or training from medical specialists.

What specialist services and expertise are available at or through the school?

Currently some children and their families have support in the following areas:

Will my child be included in activities outside the classroom, including school trips?

School trips and activities are available for all children at our school.

Risk assessments are carried out to ensure that procedures are in place so that all children can participate.

We will make all reasonable adjustments to make sure that every child is included.

If there is something that might make it hard for your child to be included in an activity we will discuss this with you and see how we can work together to make the activity possible.

How accessible is the school?

Our school was built well over 100 years ago; the corridors are narrow in places and there are interior steps to the school office and reception area which are not suitable for ramping. However, all classrooms are on the ground floor and there are individual toilets with wide door access in the main building and in the mobile classroom. Access to our field and new trim trail is good.

We will continue to work to make our school as accessible as possible and to make all reasonable adjustments to improve access as we maintain and develop the school and its grounds.

We currently communicate with parents in direct conversation, phone, letter and email. We ask parents how they prefer us to communicate with them. We are sensitive to the needs of parents whose first language is not English or who may have other communication needs.

How will the school prepare and support children to join the school or transfer to a new school?

We recognise that moving on can be difficult for children and we take steps to ensure that any transition is as smooth as possible.

On first joining East Hoathly:

Reception open days which allow parents and their children to visit the school on a normal school day.

Reception taster sessions for the children.

Reception teacher may visit children in their homes.

Transition meetings with pre-school settings for some families.

On moving within the school:

Transition days in July for each class to meet their new teacher before the new school year.

On moving on to secondary school:

Discussions with the new school to make sure things go smoothly for your child.

Special transition groups for some children moving on to secondary school.

Extra visits to the school if necessary.

SENCo meetings to ensure smooth transition and to advise and support parents with any questions or filling in forms.

Extra visits to the school from staff and Year 7 pupils from secondary schools prior to the children joining them.

On moving to another school:

If your child is moving to another school we will contact the school and make them aware of any special arrangements or support that your child may need.

How are the school's resources allocated and matched to the children's learning needs?

We allocate our budget to meet the learning needs of our children and this will vary from year to year.

The SEND budget is allocated each financial year. Money is used to provide additional support or resources, depending on the needs of individual children and groups.

Additional support may be provided after discussion with class teachers, TAs, or parents, or if a concern has been raised at a Pupil Progress Meeting.

Resources may include using extra staff.

How is the decision made about what type and how much support my child will receive?

We hold regular Pupil Progress Meetings. At these meetings the progress of all children is discussed and tracked.

If a child is not making progress as expected, we look at ways that we can help the child. This may be through inclusion groups, some extra support in class or referral to an outside service.

If your child has a School Based Plan this will be discussed with you regularly.

We may suggest additional assessments from outside services, such as Educational Psychology, Language and Learning Support or Speech and Language Therapy Service. This will inform the types of support and/or resources needed.

How are parents involved at the school?

We welcome the contribution that the wider community can make to our school.

We encourage parents to attend parent's evenings three times a year.

There are regular ‘Parent Forums’ at school where parents are invited to share their opinions and ideas.

Parent helpers are welcomed into the classroom.

There is an active Parent School Association supporting the school by raising funds and organising events.

Parents are invited to regular reviews for children who have School Based Plans, Education Health Care Plans or Statements.

We sometimes hold exhibitions of work to which parents are invited.

Parents and carers are invited to celebration assemblies if a child is to receive an award and to class assemblies. We also hold regular learning celebration days and the children enjoy inviting their families.

We often invite parent helpers to support the children on school trips.

Parents are encouraged to support the children during our regular activity weeks/ days (for example; Art Week, Science Week, Maths and Book Days).